Pest animal control in the North West

Have a voice on pest animal control programs in the North West

Landholders have an opportunity to have a seat at the table on pest animal management in North West NSW, with North West Local Land Services currently inviting volunteers to join the North West Regional Pest Advisory Committee. Representing the interests of farmers, the wider agricultural community and other industry stakeholders, the committee is a forum for the discussion of issues related to pest animals, and provides advice to North West Local Land Services about the planning and coordination of pest animal management activities.

Pest animals such as feral pigs, deer, wild dogs, foxes and rabbits have a significant impact on local agricultural industries and wreak havoc on the natural landscape. A recent independent study estimated that from July 2022 to June 2023, agricultural production in the North West experienced a $62 million loss attributed to feral pigs alone.

North West Local Land Services Manager Land Services Matthew Davidson said the committee is an important touchpoint for the organisation to stay abreast of current concerns amongst farmers and the wider industry. “We want to make sure that our resources and activities are being directed where they are most needed, and so maintaining regular communication with community representatives from across our region is really valuable”, he said. “Control outcomes are much more successful when the agricultural community works together to tackle pest animal populations, and so we encourage any interested landholders to get involved”, said Mr Davidson. “In the 2023/2024 financial year, we were able to control 13,673 feral pigs by coordinating the aerial shoots, trapping and ground baiting across targeted farms”.

Applicants must be a Local Land Services ratepayer in the North West region, and must be able to attend 2-4 committee meetings per year, which are conducted either virtually or in person. Applications close Friday 22 November 2024.

Landholders can apply to become a volunteer on the North West Regional Pest Advisory Committee at https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8dlUE58yqpQvFtA. Information about regional pest management in the North West can be found at https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/pest-control/regional-strategic-pest-animal-management.  For more information, landholders can also contact North West Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.